April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. I don’t know if we will ever know what kind of Distracted Driving was responsible for AnnaLeah’s and Mary’s deaths (no one investigated this thoroughly that we are aware of). But we do know that the truck driver–for whatever reason–did not notice the slowed traffic ahead in time and, and as a result, hit our car twice.
Was his driving impaired due to being distracted, drugged, drinking, or drowsy (Driving While Fatigued–DWF)? Whatever the reason, AnnaLeah’s and Mary’s lives were abruptly ended.
Hardly a day goes by without coming across some reminder of the special girls they were and the empty place that no one else can fill in our lives. Just this morning, I found a little piece of paper that had fallen off a clothes hanger. In the last couple years of her life, Mary had made tags for her hangers and meticulously organized her closet. A simple reminder of our Mary, a poignant reminder of our loss.
Here are some further thoughts & tools to help you avoid distracted driving:
- Healthy Sleep Project urges parents to teach teens to avoid drowsy driving, http://www.healthcanal.com/disorders-conditions/sleep/62109-healthy-sleep-project-urges-parents-to-teach-teens-to-avoid-drowsy-driving.html
- How one N.J. dad works to fight driving dangers with Uber, apps and his daughter’s memory (including rewards to encourage driving without using your phone), http://www.nj.com/gloucester-county/index.ssf/2015/04/through_uber_apps_and_his_personal_tragedy_one_nj.html
- Tips for Distracted Driving Awareness because CALLS KILL: “Eighty percent of American drivers believe hands-free devices are safer than using a handheld phone. But that is just not the case. More than 30 studies show hands-free devices are no safer because the brain remains distracted by the conversation. When talking on a cell phone, drivers can miss seeing up to half of what’s around them, such as traffic lights, stop signs and pedestrians.Take the Focused Driver Challenge and pledge to drive cell free.” http://www.nsc.org/learn/NSC-Initiatives/Pages/distracted-driving-awareness-month.aspx?utm_medium=(none)&utm_source=(direct)&utm_campaign=CallsKill
- What kind of driver are you raising? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opoGqpDfPAY
We are all susceptible to making driving mistakes. I encourage you to take steps to make sure that your driving is as safe as possible. No regrets.
